ENGLISH BAND CLASS --- NICOLAS BROADBRIDGE
English Country Dance tunes divide broadly into three groups: (a) 3/2 hornpipes and 3/4 waltzes; (b) 4/4 and 2/2 reels and marches, and (c) 6/8 and 9/8 jigs. This class will take three "themes" - one per day - and work on tunes from all three groups within that theme for the day. Tuesday's theme will be "Tempi;" Wednesday's theme will cover "Starts and Finishes," and the theme for Thursday will feature "Arrangements." The class will be taught by both Nicolas and Aidan.
SCOTTISH BAND CLASS --- SYLVIA MISKOE
This class is open to anyone who wishes to play or to just listen. It will touch upon playing in a group and also for classes and on creating arrangements and creating an evening of dance music. Everyone will have a chance to create an arrangement and we will spend some time critiquing various arrangements. The class will participate in the last evening's dance program. Players are expected to be competent on their instru-ment and to have a working ability to read music.
CAPE BRETON DANCE --- MAGGIE CARCHRIE
In this class, students will learn a variety of traditional Strathspey and Reel steps from Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. Steps will be taught in a progressive manner and will be put into a routine by the end of the session. This class is designed for students who are new to step dancing or for those who would like a review from previous years. Please bring shoes will a hard leather or plastic sole.
HIGHLAND DANCE --- MAGGIE CARCHRIE
In this class, students will choose a dance to learn from the variety of traditional Scottish Highland and National Dances. In the past students have learned the Highland Fling, Sword Dance, Barracks Johnny and Hullachan. No experience necessary, you just need lots of energy!
Please bring your soft shoes.
SINGING - GAELIC SONG --- MAGGIE CARCHRIE
In this class, a variety of traditional Puirt a Beul, or Gaelic mouth tunes, will be taught. These tunes were traditionally used to accompany Scottish Dancing and are very rhythmic in nature. Songs will be taught that will be familiar to Scottish dancers. No experience with Gaelic or singing is required.
PIPING FOR DANCING --- DAN EMERY
In the class we will discuss and rehearse the various aspects of playing highland bagpipes for Scottish country dancing. Topics included will be, but not limited to, rhythm, proper tempo, tuning to concert pitch, tune selection, and starting and stopping.
LONGSWORD --- JAN ELLIOTT
Stillington is a little known sword tradition, originating in the Yorkshire Riding area of northern England. Very little was notated, but a dance has recently been reconstructed by Ivor Allsop. The dance is straightforward and figures are fairly "standard," but experienced dancers may notice a twist. It is hoped that the class will add its own character to the dance, making aesthetic decisions regarding step, tempo, and even choice of music.
MORRIS DANCE (open to all) --- JAN ELLIOTT
Bampton is a dynamic and "loose" but fairly relaxed Cotswold morris tradition. It retains perhaps the longest unbroken tradition and the village currently supports three distinct teams. This class will focus on Massed Dances, those typically performed in unison by "as many as will" at morris gatherings in our area, making this an ideal start for dancers who are new to morris. There will also be some discussion about the stylistic differences between the village teams, giving experienced dancers a chance to experiment with other ways of dancing Bampton. Some more
obscure or challenging dances may be explored, time and interest permitting.
MUSIC FOR MORRIS --- JAN ELLIOTT
Music for Morris will be an informal tea-time session in which musicians at any level may try their skill at accompanying this athletic and graceful dance form. Almost any tune can be "made to dance," so come and learn traditional tunes (sheet music provided, memorization encouraged)
or bring a melody or an idea to experiment with. Dancers are also welcome.
COLONIAL DANCE --- GEORGE FOGG
Colonial Dance is being offered here at ESS for the second year and is a reconstruction based on what we know about the very formal dancing done by the upper class in England and the Colonies during the 18th century. Dance was part of the education of the period and was one of the required social graces in 18th-century society--a major leisure and social activity in an era that had to make its own entertainment. It combines and overlaps many of the English and Scottish dance figures and forms, and its direct descendent is the modern Contra dance. It was originally taught by Dance-Masters of all levels from itinerant to established, all of whom put their own individual styles on the "standard" movements and figures. Sneakers, low-cut shoes or ghillies will work for this class and participants should have some experience in dance as we will concentrate on the intensive period footwork and posture required for this dance style.
ENGLISH COUNTRY DANCE (CROSSOVER) --- BARBARA FINNEY
This class is for experienced dancers who want to do some of the more difficult dances in the English repertoire. We'll touch on style differences between Scottish and English and draw from a variety of English Country dances, including historical, traditional, and modern compositions.
ENGLISH COUNTRY DANCE (BEGINNERS) --- BARBARA FINNEY
This class will be aimed at those new to dancing of any kind, especially English Country (though all are welcome). We'll work on style as well as repertoire, drawing from the wide variety of fla-
vors of English dance.
ENGLISH COUNTRY DANCE (EVENING PREP) --- BARBARA FINNEY
In this class we'll work on the more complicated dances planned for the evening programs.
SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCE (BEGINNERS) --- CHARLIE INGLES
This class will focus on the used as travelling steps for the reel and jig (quick time) and strathspey (slow time); setting steps and the basic figures in this introduction to Scottish Country Dancing.
SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCE (CROSSOVERS) --- CHARLIE INGLES
This class will cover more advanced Scottish dances for those dancers who are already experienced in country dancing. Dances taught will come from various sources and cover some of the newer figures devised for Scottish country dancing. Footwork will also be reviewed.
SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCE (EVENING PREP) --- CHARLIE INGLES
This class will review the Scottish dances included in each evening's Ball. The dances will be walked through from all positions once and then danced through.